5 Reasons You Should Stop Idolizing Him

Written by Brittney Moses

I know firsthand how easy it is to fall hard and lose yourself in the guy you love. He makes you happy and makes life easier to cope with…and you could totally see yourself living the rest of your life with him. You might have even started off with a strong sense of purpose and individuality, and next thing you know, this guy is your world. It may have even gotten to the point where you can’t even imagine who you are without him!

We’ve all been guilty of walking the slippery slope between adoration and idolization when it comes to that special guy. For the sake of clearing your head, here are five reasons why you should be able to separate your own identity and NOT idolize him.

1. He won’t make all your problems go away. There will always be trials and struggles you’ll have to face around and within yourself—and he won’t be the answer to them. There will be many parts of your journey that only you can face because they’re a part of building the woman you are becoming. So yes, he might make life easier for the moment and brighten things, but you will still have trials to face that he can’t fix. Your first foundation is to learn how to journey with God and yourself because God will never leave you and you will always have to face yourself.
2. He may fail you. He’s human, and unless you haven’t grown close enough to face very hard and trying times together, you’ll quickly learn that there will be times you’ll have to forgive some of his actions. He may not intentionally mean to disappoint you, but it happens because guys too are imperfect. Even “good” guys fall short and make mistakes. Expecting a perfect relationship is a setup for disappointment. He may do and say all the right things now, but as the two of you get closer, you’ll begin to see more of each other’s shortcomings, which is the purpose for grace. However, it’s also a clear indicator that no man can be our savior.
3. He can’t have a strong relationship with God for you. It’s easy and natural to admire these guys who show such reverence for God. A godly relationship is the goal! But relationships are made up ofboth of the people in them. Godly relationships don’t just happen, they’re built—and they’re built individually first. If we’re not keeping God first personally, how can we expect to keep God first in our relationship? Spiritual growth should be built and maintained with ourselves no matter whether we’re single, courting or married, because a God-centered relationship starts with the foundation we bring into the picture, not based on him.
4. He isn’t the cure to your insecurities. If anything, the vulnerability of love and life with another person brings out your insecurities even more. Whatever void of love or esteem you have for yourself is something you have to pursue with God for yourself. This is an inside job. No guy can cure a woman’s insecurities. He may help you feel better about yourself to some degree, but that’s like putting a Band-Aid on a serious wound. You will ultimately still have to do that digging and healing for yourself. There’s a reason its called self-worth, self-love, self-esteem—it’s only something youcan assume for yourself.
5. He may be a part of your life, but He is not your purpose. As women, when we encounter a relationship with our special guy, it’s easy to picture our life together 10 years down the road: kids, marriage, the house and everything. It’s easy for him to become our future vision and become our primary purpose. But we lose sight of the purposes God has for us individually and the gifts he has uniquely given us to impart into the world. It’s possible to see your future with a guy and still build who you are as an individual apart from him. In fact, having individual hobbies and goals makes the relationship more interesting and dynamic. Most guys admire a girl who has a passion for something!

God has a purpose for your life that is greater than your relationship status. Don’t ever lose sight of that.

~ Project Inspired

Delight in Him:)

Candy Truth Bomb!

8 THINGS CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR

What should Christians look like? How should they act? What should they be known for? There are many unique qualities that all Christians should harness as it pertains to living a biblical life, but below are eight things I believe anyone who calls themselves a Christ-follower should adhere to. The Christian life is all about finding true identity in that of Jesus and reflecting an image of his righteous nature.

1. Love. (1 John 4:8)

Love is an intrinsic value for anyone who calls themselves a Christ follower. In reality, I don’t believe that anyone can truly call themselves a Bible believing Christian and not showcase the act of love. No matter the circumstance, offering a helping hand of love is what sets us apart from the rest of the world. God loves us, even when we don’t reflect the same image in return. We owe it to others by offering them this same reality.

2. Grace. (Ephesians 4:32)

The Grace of God has covered a multitude of sins, and the sacrifice made on the cross has paid the penalty for them. We are surely blessed. Although we don’t deserve the grace we have been generously handed, Jesus continues to extend a helping hand of it regardless of our situation. In the same way, we as Christians should be known for the grace and forgiveness that we show others. It may not always be deserved, but we must always remember that neither was ours.

3. Purity. (Philippians 4:8)

When Christians discuss the word “purity,” one must understand that we are implying more than just the topic of sex. Not only should we be known for our pureness in relationships, but in our speech, actions, and motives as well.

4. Patience. (Galatians 5:22)

In today’s fast-paced, drive-thru, entrepreneurial world, patience is key. And while the rest of the world may like quick-fixes and turn-key circumstances, the Word of God has called us to be patient amidst all thing. This may not always the easiest task, but it will always be the right path to choose.

5. Sacrifice. (John 3:16)

The sacrifice made on the cross showcases the immeasurable amount of sacrifice that God presented towards his people. And while we will never be able to match the magnificent sacrifice that took place almost 2,000 years ago, this isn’t to say we must not continue the legacy set before us. Christians should be known for their selflessness and sacrifice. A quality that will reflect an image of our Father in heaven.

6. Selflessness. (Philippians 2:4)

Do you give only to hopefully receive, or do you give out of the abundance of your heart? The idea of selflessness presents a picture that says, “Whatever you need, I’m here to give it to you.” Selflessness is an attribute that puts others before yourself, and God before everyone else. Although it may not always be the easiest of tasks, showcasing selflessness says more about your heart than you might think. Everything we have was never really ours to begin with.

7. Commitment. (Matthew 5:37)

When we as Christians say we will do something, we should make sure we follow through with the act. Although we all make mistakes and fall short, reflecting an image of Jesus’ commitment and to others showcases one of His greatest attributes. In the ways of Christ, we must show the world we can be entrusted, and that our word will not be broken.

8. Respect. (1 Peter 2:17)

We may come across people with differing views than us, but this doesn’t mean we can respect in our action of disagreement. Today’s media coverage feeds off of disrespectful Christians, highlighting stories that provoke many of us stand back and say, “I would never do that!” We must be known as a community of respectful people, who even among disagreement can show love and grace.

—Jarrid Wilson

IS THERE SUCH THING AS A PRIVATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

I’ve run into a lot of people in my life who seem to think that their relationship with God is for them to know and for others to not worry about. And while I agree with them to a certain extent, the biblical text is clear that our relationships with God are called to be anything but private. Personal, yes. Private, no.

One group of passages that I frequently refer to in regards to one’s call to a life of public faith is Matthew 5:14-16, which states the following,

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

The core message in these verses are quite clear; that in the same way one wouldn’t light a lamp and then cover it to dilute its sole purpose, a Christian isn’t to discover the hope of Jesus and never share nor keep it hidden from the public eye. The life and deeds of a Christ-follower should exude out of you. This would completely contradict the calling of the Great Commission; “to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).”

It just doesn’t make any sense to stay quiet in a world that parades darkness and deceit. Our faith was made to be public. To be shared. To be discussed to those we come across. So what does this mean? It means that you’re called to be a shining example of a Christ-follower in all that you do, no matter what you do, no matter where you are, no matter who you come into contact with.

I guess I just have a hard time grasping the idea that someone can be fully devoted to Christ, yet hidden as it pertains to the public knowledge of that faith. I understand strategic evangelism as it pertains to countries where Christianity is illegal, but we as Americans really have no excuse to be silent when it comes to the existence of our relationships with God. I’m not saying you need to be on the street corner with a banner that says I Love Jesus!, but I am saying you should have no issue letting people know who you’ve given your life to. We’re called to live unashamed to the fullest extent.

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile”—Romans 1:16

When our lives get caught up in the beauty of The Gospel, we realize our existence is no longer about us but instead the many facets that make up the person of Christ. Our vocations as Christ-followers is to share The Gospel; the alluring and jaw-dropping beauty of The Gospel. Let your faith be known and your faith be strong. Don’t keep your relationship with God private, but instead outspoken and grace-filled.

—Jarrid Wilson

Concerned but Not Consumed

So much is going on right now, and there is so much to say about it. Seems our country is headed further and further towards hell every day. It’s a scary thing! It’s scary for Christians these days. We are no longer the majority. Everything we say offends people (the bible said it would). Everything we do is deemed “hateful” and “bigoted.” What is next for us? It’s a scary time to raise children. What will be left for them to grow up in? Will there be the same America we have loved for generations?

I don’t know the answer to these questions, but I do know in Whom I place my trust. Sin and wickedness are nothing new to our God. In the days of Noah, everyone did what was right in their own eyes. In the days of Jonah, Nineveh was one of the most wicked cities in the world. In the days of Abraham, Sodom and Gomorrah were home to some of the most infamous vile people in history.

Did those people silence the preaching of Noah? No. Did they stop Jonah from preaching the truth? No. Did Abraham run away and hide? Nope.

And we can’t either. Just like those and many men and women throughout the bible, we have a job to do. We must obey our God and live our lives for his glory. We must not hold our peace about what is right and what is wrong. We must tell the truth to people about what God says. That is the loving thing to do! And we have fallen down on the job for far too long.

Christians, we need to get back to being concerned about our own sin and getting it out of our lives. We need to get back be concerned about the lives of those around us. We need to be concerned about the will of God for our families, our churches, our cities, and our country. We need to be concerned about current issues and speak up!

However, we must not be consumed. Consumed with fear and anxiety. Consumed with doubt and apathy. Consumed with fighting and arguing. Consumed with ourselves and our lack of faith and our savior attitudes.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 1 Timothy 1:7

It’s easy to do. Controversy is everywhere. It’s in our face every day. We need to be concerned with what is going on, but we must not be consumed.

Our God sees. Just as he saw those who were faithful to Him in bible times. He knows. He knows the wickedness all around us. In these times, we need to trust our God. We need to get on our knees and turn to Him in prayer and beg Him to do a work in us– his people– and then do a work in our country. We need to do what’s right in big things and in small so that when God looks down on us, he sees a remnant of people who are faithful to Him alone. Because, our actions the actions of God’s people are what will heal our land. We must do what we can do. We must do and speak and live what is right.

In the coming months, there will be a lot to see, there will be a lot to say, there will be a lot to do, but most of all there will be a lot to pray about. We must pour out our hearts before God and take Him at his words. Concerned always. Speaking up constantly. Doing right continually. Trusting daily. Voting when it is time! Never consumed, but praying without ceasing…

Our God will hear us.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

MAY 18, 2016 | THEFULLTIMEGIRL

“God come down”

“Oh, that You would rend the heavens!
That You would come down!”
Isaiah 64:1(NKJV)

“Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend…”
Isaiah 64:1 (MSG)

This is one of the great revival prayers found in scripture. Isaiah appeals to God, asking that God would demonstrate a dramatic display of His strength on behalf of the people. It’s a call for miraculous help in which supernatural power breaks thru and invades every circumstance.

“God come down”, shouldn’t be a onetime cry, but our everyday prayer. We need God to “come down” in all our situations, affecting our decisions, our actions, and our conversations. Just like we desire our daily bread for the day, we should be desperate for God to “come down”, so that it would be here on earth as it is in heaven. We want to see the Lord come down in fire, like He did at Mt. Sinai (Ex 19:16-19).

Pastor Durso – Christ Tabernacle

Passion=Your Calling

Citizen or Alien?

As citizens of Heaven we are not meant to “fit in” or “be accepted” in this world. We are not of this world.

John 15:19: If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

It’s like a child playing with a shape sorter. We’re trying to fit our shape into a particular space. Sorry, but it’s not going to work. We don’t match and no matter how hard we try, we’re not going to change that. Even when we do manage to squeeze in a little, we’re still unhappy, insecure and uncomfortable. Why? Because we’re trying to be something/someone we’re not.

Own who you are in Christ. Only in His royal DNA will you find true love, happiness and peace!

Allow God to Use Your Dark Times

Why is it that during the daylight hours, when we’re active and busy, our problems don’t seem as serious? But when darkness falls and the lights go out, our fears and worries loom larger. Perhaps it’s because we forget that we serve a God who never sleeps and is sovereign over our affairs both day and night.

Are you facing situations that cause you to lose sleep? If so, you’re not alone. For centuries God’s people have experienced what are sometimes called “dark nights of the soul.” Take comfort in the fact that God uses these times of darkness to teach us invaluable lessons we might never learn in the light. He desires to teach us things about Himself that we will only learn in the dark—when we are holding tightly to Him and He has our undivided attention.

Allow God to use these dark times to give you “the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45:3).

“Lord, I pray You will fill my darkness with Your light and give me peace.”

Stormie Omartian